Quite a stir has been used by the di covery that m concrete blocks used in the the Harbour Works of the Northern port are cracked and defective. Those brought to the surface and Janded, fully substantiate the statements that the Japanese cement the authorities persuaded and eventually induced the Into Major-General Palmer to use was in reality unfit for the purpose, In giving publicity to the deplorable state of things disclosed the Japan Advertiser has rendered god service, and from a long article in its issue "f 28th inst. on the subject I take the following "In their comments upon the Yokohama Harbour Works, several of the Japanese papers hint pretty broadly at irregularities in reference to the selection of the Japanese cern Whether, and if so to what extent, thi suggestions are founded on facts will probably remain unsettled for the present, but steps appear to be in progress with a view to the epee ritment of a Commission to examine the causes and nature of the deterioration that has taken place. Meantime it may be stated on the best authority that the Nichi YVichi Shimbun was misinformed when it said that Professor Furui issited the works, and it is possible that lews attributed to him were also imaginary. The Japan Mail, it is to be noted, repeats with emphasis the went that the cement produced by the Ca., which was selected by General Palmer in' the first instance, has proved sutliciently satisfactory. If the breakwaters: are to be devoted to the purposes. of vystor culture, for which they are, we understand, admirably adapted, doubtless the blocks in question will prove ' sufficiently satisfactory."
ut there are among the concrete masses laid away to dry in the enclosure beyond the Railway Station, blocks bearing the name of the Asano Ca., which are just as badly cracked us those of other makers. These can hardly be regarded as sulticiently satisfactory for the uses of a breakwater; We assert positively that the blocks of all four Jay affected,—some more se ussly th it is true, but all show si of giving way manner. We leave it gent perso say whether under these cireumstguces it is wise, or whether on the other hand it is little short of madness, to continue laying concrete made from the cement of any Japanese company. We also repeat, what we stated when we first called attention to the matter, that the Engish cement both on the North avd the East rakwaters, of which it forms the landward ends, is absolutely untouched. Mate into blocks under exactly the same conditions ay the others, it has withstood the practical test before which they are crumbling awa; 'This matter will prove' of considerable tores Shanghailanders, as I remember Inpanese cement was used in the Public Bath recently completed for their use, Tt will be very interesting to learn how that cement stands, though, of course, it is possible it will stand the fresh better than sea water.
H.M.'s ship Leander left this morning for Nagasaki to dock.
Kobe, 30th March.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.